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Sorry but it's killing me. I need to come out.

Started by ImagineKate, October 06, 2014, 02:30:01 PM

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ImagineKate


Quote from: Ali girl on October 14, 2014, 11:18:20 PM
And my wife thought the same.... Until she seen how much better I was on my medication.  I'm psychologically happy... Making us happier as a whole.  I'm no longer a yelling, rude, ->-bleeped-<-.

She says," they are unhappy because they can't get a man."

Seriously is that all there is to life? I swear she's the man in this relationship because all she talks about now is wanting sex.

After this one I think I'm done with dating for a while. Maybe when I get old and the kids put me in a home I will want a bingo partner. But for now if it ends I just want to concentrate on being me, and maybe travel a bit. Bring my kids along too if possible.
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Paige

Hi Kate,

It's interesting my wife didn't want anything to do with a transition.  Your wife seems to have moments of acceptance and it's only been a week since she first found out.  I'm wondering if she just need some more time to adjust to the situation and some sort of therapy.  Maybe you just need to keep telling her this is a long journey with many possible paths and nothing is going to happen immediately.

Take care Kate,  :)
Paige
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katiej

Paige is exactly right.  It took you years to come to acceptance. Give her at least a few months.  :)

And regarding the back and forth...I think it's completely normal given the gigantic revelations of the past week.  Anger, denial, acceptance, etc, etc.  And besides, do you feel exactly the same way about everything all the time?  Of course not.  And her willingness to apologize is the same as admitting that she behaved badly.  That's a step in the right direction for sure.

I'd say that sex may not necessarily be a preoccupation, but a roadblock.  And it's a good sign if that's the biggest one.  For my wife, she's fine with the idea of being seen socially as a lesbian, and she's even mostly fine with me transitioning.  At this point it's the idea of being with a woman sexually that's throwing her off.  It's really one of her only objections.  I'm really hoping she can get over it or at least adjust to the changes.

Perhaps most importantly, do your best to give her a reason to stick with you through this.  Be a good wife.  Worst case scenario she still wants to leave and at least you'll have done as much as possible to make it an amicable split over irreconcilable differences.  But your efforts could also make her want to stick with you through this.
"Before I do anything I ask myself would an idiot do that? And if the answer is yes, I do not do that thing." --Dwight Schrute
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Ali girl

Totally agree!   It can be a tough road some days, but in the end it is what you do on that road more than how long it is.   My wife is caught up on "what will others think" and not what she thinks half the time...

But I do make a great hubby/wife...  I cook, clean, do laundry, mostly care for the kids, and repairs...

She works and watches football.  I love my role and she loves hers.  It's just the perceptions she is having a time with.

Be patient!
The bravest thing I ever did was live when all I wanted to do was die.

If someone shows you their true colors, don't try to repaint them.

"I'm not the person I was yesterday and I'm not the person I'm going to  be tomorrow. I'm just figuring it out as I go along, just like everyone else in this world." -Laura Jane Grace
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ImagineKate

We ended up talking again tonight. I actually talked to my trans friend earlier who I am out to (let's call her Carly, not her real name). Carly said that her wife decided to stick with her but it took a while. So I'm trying to go that route. My wife (I will call her Anna) and I talked about what if we split. Oh and I made sure I wore a dress as I did so because I want her to see I'm serious about this. My therapist said my next step should be slowly moving into the authentic me at home, which I'm doing. I probably went ahead of myself but whatever, I reached my breaking point. I will also not take spousal abuse. I might be a woman but that doesn't mean I should be treated like how some people treat their wives.

Anyway Anna assured me that if we split she's not going to stand between me and my kids. I'm glad she said this. This is by far my main concern.

She also said that she is "trapped" here and is unlikely to move out. I'm not happy she feels this way but I can understand.

She was crying and asking how she's going to cope, I told her that we could go to couples therapy as part of the process.

So things might be moving but I'm not sure where exactly.
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ImagineKate

Oh and she said she found a bottle of hormones in my bag which is why she was asking if I was taking them. Turns out it was the old bottle of  estradioI was self medding with couple of years ago. I showed her her name and expiration date on the bottle.
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Alice Rogers

Quote from: ImagineKate on October 15, 2014, 11:18:50 PM
Anyway Anna assured me that if we split she's not going to stand between me and my kids. I'm glad she said this. This is by far my main concern.

She also said that she is "trapped" here and is unlikely to move out. I'm not happy she feels this way but I can understand.

She was crying and asking how she's going to cope, I told her that we could go to couples therapy as part of the process.

So things might be moving but I'm not sure where exactly.

This sounds so similar to some conversations I had with my ex before I moved out, you could reassure her that even if you decide to split that doesn't necessariyl mean instant eviction. My ex and I shared our family home for almost 2 years after we knew it wasn't going to work out. We ended up like housemates in a share!  I think it actually helped in the long run that we had done that because we found a way to coexist as friends after we decided to split.

Alice
xx
"I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time." Jack London
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ImagineKate

Maybe, maybe not. She and I have been down a similar road before. Not the trans stuff but "cheating." I use quotes because I really wasn't attracted to the girl, I just wanted to get out of the marriage. She did get nasty toward me and her, calling her ugly etc and saying how white women want to steal all the good men (wtf?) I moved out and back to NJ. She began stalking me online too. However after a couple months apart we got back together. We bought a house and had kids. We were "happy" for a while (well I wasn't and turns out she wasn't either).

But with me transitioning I dunno, this seems to have her spooked out to a completely new level.
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Allyda

Quote from: katiej on October 15, 2014, 02:15:40 PM
Paige is exactly right.  It took you years to come to acceptance. Give her at least a few months.  :)

And regarding the back and forth...I think it's completely normal given the gigantic revelations of the past week.  Anger, denial, acceptance, etc, etc.  And besides, do you feel exactly the same way about everything all the time?  Of course not.  And her willingness to apologize is the same as admitting that she behaved badly.  That's a step in the right direction for sure.

I'd say that sex may not necessarily be a preoccupation, but a roadblock.  And it's a good sign if that's the biggest one.  For my wife, she's fine with the idea of being seen socially as a lesbian, and she's even mostly fine with me transitioning.  At this point it's the idea of being with a woman sexually that's throwing her off.  It's really one of her only objections.  I'm really hoping she can get over it or at least adjust to the changes.

Perhaps most importantly, do your best to give her a reason to stick with you through this.  Be a good wife.  Worst case scenario she still wants to leave and at least you'll have done as much as possible to make it an amicable split over irreconcilable differences.  But your efforts could also make her want to stick with you through this.
@ImagineKate: Here^^___^^ Katiej raises some very valid points you should consider carefully. I speak from experience when I say that transitioning alone is much more difficult than transitioning with an SO, or a good friend by your side. Your wife needs time to take in the reality of the situation. She's showing classic symptoms of denial which she'll eventually get over. And upon her acceptance of you as a woman, is when you will finally be able to ascertain where you stand in your marriage.

Please don't let words discourage you. For she is liable to say some nasty things she doesn't mean, and/or make empty threats involving your kids for they unfortunately are her only leverage. In this situation time is your friend. The best part in all of this is, if after 2-3 years you manage to stay married your love for each other will be stronger than it ever was in the past. And take it from someone who knows that is very hard to find. I celebrate my 50th birthday this month, but I celebrate it all alone. Believe me it's worth sticking it out as long as possible. For even if the both of you decide to split you'll remain lifetime friends, and you both will be much happier for it.

Best Wishes to you both!

@Ali, Is Ali short for something? Just curious. My knickname "Ally," is pronounced the same and is short for Allyda.

Ally :icon_flower:
Allyda
Full Time August 2009
HRT Dec 27 2013
VFS [ ? ]
FFS [ ? ]
SRS Spring 2015



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Ali girl

The bravest thing I ever did was live when all I wanted to do was die.

If someone shows you their true colors, don't try to repaint them.

"I'm not the person I was yesterday and I'm not the person I'm going to  be tomorrow. I'm just figuring it out as I go along, just like everyone else in this world." -Laura Jane Grace
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ImagineKate

She says that she will never stand between me and my kids. I hope she keeps her word. She most likely won't, although it would make her uncomfortable that I am dressing in front of them... actually she's too late because I have been for a long time. I'm just not really being flamboyant such as wearing ultra femme pink dresses in front of them yet. My therapist asked what I would like to be. I said just an ordinary woman, nothing special, not ultra femme, and I don't want to scream "tra**y" if you know what I mean.

Anyway right now it seems as though we are headed down the path of in place separation, so we can raise the kids. I feel she is slowly but surely coming around to accepting me even if not as her husband.
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ImagineKate

So like wow tonight we talked and I think she is coming around. I explained a lot of why I am trans. Showed her my right hand and digit ratio (I know it's probably junk science but there may also be some truth to it, jury is out). I also talked about our history with the fertility clinic and my problems. So She started up a conversation after I stopped at Walmart to get among other things some motor oil, a nightie and some shirts on clearance. I think after I explained the whole bit she came around, saying she wants to support me but doesn't know how. I explained that she should come to one of my therapy sessions. We talked a lot, shared some of my old photos (where I looked like a girl) and talked about a lot of stuff. Way better than silence and crying over the past week. Hopefully she doesn't go bipolar on me and turn back into insulting me before I go to bed.

On a side note I had a really nice surprise. One of my really close friends here is a typical alpha male type. He's like a brother because he is a former U.S. Marshal. Today someone posted on FB a nasty opinion piece about transgender people, basically blasting Fallon fox in the worst way. To my surprise most people in the FB group blasted the person for posting such a hateful article. I asked why some people can't stand to see others be happy with themselves. To my surprise my friend replied, "yeah I'm a live and let live kinda guy, you have your freedom as long as you don't infringe on mine we are cool." I wasn't expecting that! I was expecting something totally transphobic in the worst possible way...

Oh and I think some of my coworkers are getting a hint too. We had a group activity today and we took pictures of ourselves and a couple people said I looked like a girl... I had been growing my hair and nails out.
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helen2010

Keep the faith. Keep believing that your wife will adjust.  It isn't surprising that her emotions are all over the place.  It has only been a short time for her  to deal with this.  All you can do is be true to yourself, respecting her and yourself.

I was very surprised that my wife has adjusted over time.  If you like each other and you want to be there for your kids then you have a fighting chance.

Safe travels

Aisla
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ImagineKate

I'm sorry for the frequent updates but I'm so happy for the support from you all.

Acceptance is happening, slowly but surely.

I'm here playing with the kids in their play room. More importantly I'm not hiding. My wife is almost normal. She might give me a weird look now  and again but for the most part seems like she's trying.

I am over the moon.

I can be me to some degree, I can be with my kids and I am being accepted to some degree.

The kids? They're normal. My daughter (let's call her Carrie) who called me beautiful the other day is smiling from ear to ear. The two others just see me as they usually do.
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Ali girl

Great to hear! You go girl!  Keep the faith and revel in the moment.  The good times are the ones we always remember. ;)
The bravest thing I ever did was live when all I wanted to do was die.

If someone shows you their true colors, don't try to repaint them.

"I'm not the person I was yesterday and I'm not the person I'm going to  be tomorrow. I'm just figuring it out as I go along, just like everyone else in this world." -Laura Jane Grace
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Delsorou

Quote from: ImagineKate on October 17, 2014, 09:25:31 PM...On a side note I had a really nice surprise. One of my really close friends here is a typical alpha male type. He's like a brother because he is a former U.S. Marshal. Today someone posted on FB a nasty opinion piece about transgender people, basically blasting Fallon fox in the worst way. To my surprise most people in the FB group blasted the person for posting such a hateful article. I asked why some people can't stand to see others be happy with themselves. To my surprise my friend replied, "yeah I'm a live and let live kinda guy, you have your freedom as long as you don't infringe on mine we are cool." I wasn't expecting that! I was expecting something totally transphobic in the worst possible way... ...

This was my experience with people as well.  I never would have expected acceptance from a lot of the people that I eventually did come out to and around, and most all of them not only accepted but defended.  It just goes to show that no one can truly be judged by their outside appearance... no one.  It gives one faith in humanity.  At least for a while...

Quote from: ImagineKate on October 18, 2014, 10:38:19 AM... The kids? They're normal. My daughter (let's call her Carrie) who called me beautiful the other day is smiling from ear to ear. The two others just see me as they usually do.

Kids don't hate anyone unless they're taught to.  I don't understand why so many people don't get that, and worry about our "influence".  Kids accept EVERYONE.  This is why you have to tell them not to talk to strangers!  And why creepy adults dressed up as cartoon characters in giant foam suits don't bother them one bit.
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ImagineKate

I feel so happy not hiding!!! Not at the point where I will wear a dress at home (because I don't want the kids talking at school yet) but I'm wearing almost exclusively women's jeans, tops, cap sleeve t-shirts and the like. When we go out I just throw a fleece on and I'm good. Still wearing the jeans but I usually wear skinny jeans anyway which aren't much different. We have a few issues we are dealing with but to be honest they aren't really new to my recent revelation but it could be a symptom of my underlying gender issues.
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ImagineKate

Well my wife has mostly settled into acceptance now. She hasn't blasted me in a few days and she has said she wants to support me. She's even trying new ways to be intimate which is nice. We are going to see the therapist on Tuesday to talk as well. But she is well aware that full transition is in my future and by extension our future. She's not happy but she's trying to accept. When I told her that I was going to talk to HR at work it really hit her hard but she said in the end she'll support me.

The only problem is that she's kinda pushing me to come out to my parents and my brothers which I don't want to do yet. 
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Hikari

Good luck, once the information is disclosed, it might be hard to keep a lid on. My wife (we are separated now) told several of my friends who I wanted to find a way to tell separately since they were the most likely to take issue with it. She just waited till I wasn't around and told them anyway, despite not being friends with them herself....

All of this has lead me to the conclusion that it is probably better to set your own narrative and define yourself early rather than wait and allow others to do so. People will gossip so setting the narrative can be really helpful in making sure your circle of friends and family stays on board 100%.
私は女の子 です!My Blog - Hikari's Transition Log http://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,377.0.html
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ImagineKate

Quote from: Hikari on October 26, 2014, 02:38:02 AM
Good luck, once the information is disclosed, it might be hard to keep a lid on. My wife (we are separated now) told several of my friends who I wanted to find a way to tell separately since they were the most likely to take issue with it. She just waited till I wasn't around and told them anyway, despite not being friends with them herself....

All of this has lead me to the conclusion that it is probably better to set your own narrative and define yourself early rather than wait and allow others to do so. People will gossip so setting the narrative can be really helpful in making sure your circle of friends and family stays on board 100%.

Makes sense.

My wife doesn't seem that vindictive, and it would totally destroy our relationship if she did that. I would just walk out at that point. I am not ruling out something like that happening though because sometimes people get desperate. Sorry to hear yours did that.

To be clear - I do plan to come out to my parents but only once things have settled down at home. It would be nice to get their blessing but I'm prepared for the worst.
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